I'm certain that both the W201 and W124 did well in crash testing, but in the land of SUV mania, I subscribe to the belief that a heavier car with a larger crumple zone is safer than a smaller, lighter car simply for the reason that the heavier car will decelerate more slowly on impact with a heavier vehicle, exposing the passengers to lower peak G-forces.

If circumstances beyond my control force me to unsuccessfully play chicken with a Chevy Avalanche, I'd rather do it in a W124.

C43AMG, I respectfully submit that the best approach would be to keep your daughter in the 420SEL and accept the inevitable parallel parking misadventures as a cheap price to pay for cocooning her in a tank.